HopeSprings Giveaway!

 

 

 

Thanks to all of you who visited our various blogs throughout the month of December and commented. We appreciate you taking the time to do that and hope that you'll continue to stick around. Each of us try to provide interesting and entertaining content weekly and would love your continued presence!

Without further ado, our grand prize winner is

June Horne

June, please contact me via email - elizabeth dot maddrey at gmail dot com (replace "dot" and "at" with a . and an @) And in even more delightful news - everyone else who commented is eligible for a free audiobook download of one of the following HopeSprings books:

• Worth the Wait by Laura Jackson
• Marriage Takes Three by G.E. Hamlin
• The Sheep Walker�s Daughter by Sydney Avey
• Courage to Change by Elizabeth Maddrey
• Joint Venture by Elizabeth Maddrey

Please contact me (same email as above) with your first two choices (supplies of each title are limited, so get in touch quickly.) Your participation in the Advent giveaway will be verified and then you'll receive an email with information about how to claim your free audio book. Thanks again for spending a bit of your Advent with us. Have a very blessed Christmas!

 

'

Congrats, Katie!

 

Congrats to Katie Clark for winning a copy of Worth the Time!

Everyone who commented will be put into the drawing for the 150-dollar gift card! The winner will be announced Monday!

 

Merry Christmas, everyone.

 

 



If you didn't win this time, you can still check out Worth the Time on Amazon. :)

'

HopeSprings Giveaway: Hope in Jesus

 

Immigration Debates

ISIS

Racial Tension

Violence

Depression

Bullying

Broken or hurting marriages

 

 

 

The world is messy. It's broken. Wait, it's more than broken, it's in shattered pieces.

 

And we search in all the wrong places to fix it: the government, anger, social status, education, relationships, etc.

 

And they don't solve it. They will disappoint us every time we place our hope in them.

 

 

Where's the hope of a better future? The hope that tomorrow will be brighter?

 

Jesus.

 

He is the only hope, the only way, the only truth. He takes our brokenness and restores.

 

He is hope. The brokenness of the world may still swirl around us, a tornado of sin, but inside we can still grasp onto the hope of Jesus.

 

Titus 2:13 (ESV): Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ

 

Our hope is not in the things of the world. Our hope is not in the people around us. Our hope is in Jesus alone and His appearance--His promise fulfilled.

 

What a glorious day that will be!

 

What does the word hope mean to you? Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Worth the Time. (Be sure to leave your email address.)

 

Each comment will also enter you into the Author of HopeSprings giveaway (150 dollar Amazon gift card).

 

I'll draw a winner on the 20th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

'

Bookmarks and Pens!

 

 

I've got pens and bookmarks for anyone who'd like some to keep for yourself or pass out.

Just send me your info to laurajacksonwrites at gmail dot com and let me know if you're passing them out or just want a few for yourself.

 

 

'

Confessional Friday

 

Linking up with Leslies over at http://www.blondeambitionblog.com/.

I confess that I was super nervous about my first book signing, and I'm so glad I was just one of 5 authors because it was so slow. Bad weather swirled through Houston, and not many people came to Barnes and Noble. But, at least it's out of the way, right?

I confess that I've been to two Rockets games in the last two weeks, and I want to go every week. I'm spoiled. (Both times I went with the girl I babysit, who loves basketball even more than I do!)

I confess that I lack Pinterest talent. People kept sending me pictures of Book Christmas Trees, suggesting I do them for the library. I tried. I really did. I like it, and the kids like it. That's what matters.

 

 

 

I confess that I laughed as some of my students made a tree for me. I tried to talk to them about making things level, but they kept piling books half-hazardly. It looked great.

For 30 minutes. They left, and it completely fell. a volcano eruption.

Sometimes we just need to learn by doing and failing. And laughing.

 

 

I confess that I miss my dad more around the holidays, which is natural. He was a hunter, and after his death, my mom got rid of his mounted animals. The people I babysit for own a couple of restaurants in Houston (Spaghetti Western--great food!), and they took my dad's bear.

I get to see the bear fairly regularly, and I know my dad would be in a panic over his bear decorated, but I LOVE it!

'

HopeSprings Giveaway Continues!

 

 

It's the end of week one in the HopeSpringsBooks Advent Giveaway and...we had a few kinks. These things happen, but happily for you, it gives you a chance for some additional free stuff as our way of saying "Ooops! Please forgive us."

 

But first up, Teresa Pollard had a great post on Tuesday about hope. We hope (ha!) if you haven't already swung by and commented that you'll do so today. She's giving people until this Tuesday (12/9) to leave a comment to win either of her books (Not Guilty or Tokens of Promise. Both are wonderful reads and if you've not read them, this is a great opportunity to do that!) PLUS - every comment on one of our author posts on Hope gets you an entry into the Grand Prize giveaway.

 

 

You may be asking: are there other ways to enter for the Grand Prize? And that's a fantastic question, but the answer is nope. Rafflecopter and Facebook made some changes to the way they do things and between that and a few other logistical issues, we decided to kick it old school the year.

 

 

As a bonus, what we really want to do is connect with you! So asking you to leave a comment and chat with us works to that end as well. You may now be asking: I thought you said there were going to be two author posts each week? And that's where we get to additional free stuff. The second post with giveaway didn't happen this week - so sorry! But, because of that, we have the added bonus of offering up some audible download codes for free audio books. So - comment on this post for a special giveaway of 5 different audiobook codes. You have a choice between:

• Worth the Wait by Laura Jackson
• Marriage Takes Three by G.E. Hamlin
• The Sheep Walker's Daughter by Sydney Avey
• Courage to Change by Elizabeth Maddrey
• Joint Venture by Elizabeth Maddrey

So leave a comment and let us know which FREE audio book you'd like! (Commenters from all the locations where this is posted will be put into a spreadsheet and then we'll use random.org to choose the winners - one for each audio code.)

We'll contact winners via email (and mention them in next Friday's post) on Friday (12/12.) Be sure to swing by Elizabeth Maddrey's blog on Monday and Mary Hamilton's blog on Wednesday for more chances to enter the Grand Prize Drawing and other author giveaways!

'

HopeSprings Advent Giveaway!

 

It's officially Advent! Counting down to Christmas is always such a delightful time of year. It's also a call to take time to reflect on what it means that the Christ child came to earth, born in such lowly circumstances, all so He could die on the cross to bear the punishment for our sin. We are truly blessed.

 

Over the next three weeks, five authors who are also published with HopeSpringsBooks and I are going to devote a post to our thoughts on the hope of Advent. We hope you'll join us and join in on the conversation.

 

Here's the schedule of posts:

December 2 - Teresa Pollard

December 3 - Stephanie McCall

December 8 - Elizabeth Maddrey

December 10 - Mary Hamilton

December 15 - Laura Jackson

December 17 - Patrick Johnston

 

To enter individual giveaways as well as to be entered in the grand prize drawing, you just need to comment on each author's post. On Saturday, December 20th, all the comments will be put in a spreadsheet and Random.org will draw the winner. Check back here on December 22nd for the grand prize winner announcement!

 

 

'

99 Cents!

 

 

The Kindle edition of Worth the Wait is on sale for 99 cents this week!

 

Worth the Wait on Kindle

 

 

 

 

'

Cover Reveal and a Contest

 

 

It's here! The cover of Worth the Time, book two in the Waltham Academy series. To celebrate, I'm giving away a 25 dollar Amazon Gift Card. (I'm giving away a second gift card on my author FB page--check it out. https://www.facebook.com/laurajacksonwrites)

 

Here's a link to pre-order the kindle edition: Worth the Time Kindle and the paperback Worth the Time Paperback.

 

And here's the chance to win the Amazon Gift Card!

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

'

Confessional Friday

 

Linking up with Leslie at http://www.blondeambitionblog.com/.

 

 I confess that I just realized I'm my niece and nephew's crazy aunt. Every family has one...the weird, goofy aunt. I'm theirs. And I love it. Here we are ready to go play light-up football. It was cold. And I love those socks.

 

I confess I need a pedicure. I got one two weeks ago, but I put shoes on to run an errand right after and smudged the polish. I've been polish-less since and miserable because I'm having to wear close-toed shoes.

 

I confess that I spent an hour the other day on babynames.com and I'm not even expecting a child...or married....or dating anyone. I do have names for my next book characters though!

 

I confess I have been sitting on the cover of my next book for a week now (not literally), and it's so hard. I'm NOT good at keeping secrets! But, I'm waiting to reveal it. Going to think of some contest.

 

I confess I love my job. Where else can you make wild things puppets and King of the Wild Ones crowns? It's like I'm a kid again. I need to remind myself of that sometimes when I get annoyed at work.

 

 

 

What do you need to confess?

'

Confessional Friday

Connecting with Leslie at http://www.blondeambitionblog.com/.

 

 

This last week was so busy--but fun.

 

I confess that it was super cool to see my book (Worth the Wait) on the shelf of a high school library.

 

 

I confess I don't always get art. Like this. Stuff glued together?

 

 

Or a book with rocks as the heads? Although I have to say I think it would be fun to read it to the kids and then make our own rockheads. In fact, I might do it soon.

 

 

 

 

BUT, I confess that I could have stayed at this exhibit for hours, just watching the trees. It was at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.

 

Here are some of the pics and a video or two if I can get them to work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

'

Giveaway of Worth the Time AND Worth the Wait

Here's a chance to win a copy of Worth the Wait AND Worth the Time.

Natalie D. Monk Christian Fiction Writer: Laura Jackson Interview:

'

Confessional Friday

 

Connecting with Leslie over at http://www.blondeambitionblog.com/.

 

 

 

I confess that I have a headache right now, and I'm wondering if it's because I didn't eat meat for dinner. I've been trying a kale/banana/sometimes strawberries smoothie for dinner some nights, and I'm wondering if it's not enough. I love meat (chicken).

 

I confess that I was really nervous about joining the mentoring program at my church. I'm

mentoring a few girls in high school, and I love that. But, I also joined the mentoring group as a mentee. I gave away my Florida Georgia Line ticket to go to the event tonight. I was so nervous about who I would be paired up.

 

I confess I should have trusted Jesus more. Just this week, I complained about women who got married early in life giving advice to single women about how to be content, wait on the Lord, etc. It's so frustrating, and I sometimes feel so discouraged lately. Well, I was matched up with a woman who didn't get married until she was 38. Total God thing--encouragement and hope exactly when I needed it. Why do I doubt?

 

I confess I haven't written anything since I got back from an amazing writing retreat in the middle of nowhere. I have NO idea how I survived no internet and very limited cell service (like one bar randomly), but it was amazing. I want to go back.

My writing view for the weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total sidenote: Here's a chance to win a copy of BOTH of my books--Worth the Wait and Worth the Time if you like Christian YA. Enter To Win Here

'

Confessional Friday

 

 

Connecting with Leslie over at http://www.blondeambitionblog.com/ for Confessional Friday.

I confess that I'm a curse at my nephew's soccer games. They've only won one game--the one I missed. I'm going to be out of town this weekend, so if they win Saturday, my curse will be confirmed.

 

 

I confess that a I'm so relieved that a health issue I thought may be a big enough problem to go to the doctor solved itself. Yay! I try to only go to the doctor once a year.

 

I confess that I'm two months behind on my Read Through the Bible Chronologically in a year plan, but I'm not giving up!

 

I confess that I'm excited about going to a writer's retreat this weekend. It will in a house in the woods near Dallas, TX. No internet. No cell service. Just writers focused on getting a lot done.

 

I confess I'm super anxious about not being in communication via my phone. I'm too attached to it, so I hope it will be good for me.

 

But if you see a girl running through the woods with her phone in the air, looking for cell service, it's just me.

 

 

 

 

 

'

Confessional Friday

 

 

 

I confess that this was a rough week. Nothing terrible happened--just not feeling great, some things at work, some things with my novel, etc.

Then Wednesday night came. At my church, during midweek worship, we break into small groups to pray. Our pastor shared that a guy in the church had lost his wife Thursday night. He asked us to pray and then spoke about the man's unwavering faith.

Well, the guy was there, and he ended up being in my prayer group. I'd never met him before, but it's not uncommon to not know everyone in your group.

I can't tell you the words he prayed, but his gratitude and love for Jesus poured out of his heart to the whole group.

He just lost his wife less than a week before, but he was thanking God for being in control of all things and for all of his blessings.

Wow.

So, I confess that I was stressed and annoyed and full of ingratitude. But I don't want to be. I want to give it all to the One who controls all things.

And I'm so thankful for a church that prays together. That man's prayer touched me, and I'm sure it touched the heart of God.

 

'

 

 

Linking up with Leslie at http://www.blondeambitionblog.com/.

 

I confess that I've found that when you add plenty of bananas and strawberries to your kale smoothie, you don't really taste the leaves.

It's actually pretty good.

 

I confess that I ate the BEST chocolate cake I have ever eaten at Benjy's in Rice Village Thursday night. (It's a beautiful part of Houston around Rice University.) It's got a great atmosphere with an upstairs lounge/patio.

It definitely canceled out any benefits of that smoothie.

 

 

I confess that I have been using an Olay eye cream at night, but I'm looking for a new one. I bought an Aveda one and L'Oreal one. But, I'm not sure how to really tell which one is better. Any other recommendations?

 

I confess that I am a little embarrassed by how little I explore Houston. It's a great city, and I have no clue what's in it. I'm going to change that. Drove around downtown tonight and had fun just seeing little communities and sections/styles.

 

 

 

 

'